Pulley construction for a V-belt and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

A pulley construction and method of making the same are provided, the pulley construction having a pair of opposed flanges respectively provided with surfaces for engagement with a V-belt construction when the V-belt construction is disposed therebetween. The pulley construction has a speed responsive unit for moving one of the flanges axially relative to the other of the flanges, the speed responsive unit comprising a pair of opposed raceways respectively having surfaces and movable elements disposed against the surfaces of the raceways for movement in the raceways. The surfaces of the raceways comprise polymeric material that will be deflected by the movable elements and thereby will tend to dampen out vibrations and shock load motion as the movable elements move relative to the surfaces of the raceways.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an improved pulley construction and to amethod of making such a pulley construction or the like.

2. Prior Art Statement

It is known to provide a pulley construction having a pair of opposedflanges respectively provided with surface means for engagement with aV-belt construction when the V-belt construction is disposedtherebetween, the pulley construction having speed responsive means formoving one of the flanges axially relative to the other of the flangeswith the speed responsive means comprising raceway means having surfacemeans and movable element means disposed against the surface means ofthe raceway means for movement in the raceway means. For example, seethe U.S. Patent to Hoff, U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,214 wherein the movableelement means are formed of polymeric material.

It is also known to provide polymeric material in a pulley constructionto relieve shock vibrations, etc. For example, see the U.S. Patent toHeinish, U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,897.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a feature of this invention to provide an improved speedresponsive pulley construction wherein the vibrations and shock loadsthereof are uniquely cushioned.

In particular, it was found according to the teachings of this inventionthat the raceway means of the speed responsive means of a pulleyconstruction can be formed of polymeric material which will deflect to acertain degree and thereby will dampen out vibrations and shock loadmotion as well as avoid metal to metal contact of the parts of the speedresponsive means.

For example, one embodiment of this invention provides a pulleyconstruction having a pair of opposed flanges respectively provided withsurface means for engagement with a V-belt construction when the V-beltconstruction is disposed therebetween, the pulley construction havingspeed responsive means for moving one of the flanges axially relative tothe other of the flanges with the speed responsive means comprisingraceway means having surface means and movable element means disposedagainst the surface means of the raceway means for movement in theraceway means. The surface means of the raceway means comprisespolymeric material that will be deflected by the movable element meansand thereby will tend to dampen out vibrations and shock load motion asthe movable element means move relative to the surface means.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedpulley construction having one or more of the novel features of thisinvention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method ofmaking such a pulley construction, the method of this invention havingone or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth aboveor hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved combinationof a V-belt construction and the pulley construction of this invention,the improved combination of this invention having one or more of thenovel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shownor described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of the improved pulley construction ofthis invention being utilized in combination with a V-belt construction.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pulley construction illustrated in FIG. 2and is taken in the direction of the arrows 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates the pulleyconstruction in another operating condition thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, partially broken away, and is taken online 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the raceway members of thepulley construction of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustratinganother pulley construction of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustratedand described as providing a pulley construction for continuouslyvariable transmission purposes and the like, it is to be understood thatthe various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in anycombination thereof to provide a pulley construction for other beltsystems as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the improved pulley construction of thisinvention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 andcomprises a pair of opposed flanges or pulley sections 21 and 22respectively provided with angled surface means 23 and 24 forrespectively engaging the angled sides 25 and 26 of a conventionalV-belt construction 27 disposed therebetween whereby the pulleyconstruction 20 either drives the belt construction 27 or is driven bythe belt construction 27 in a manner well known in the art.

The pulley construction 20 has a substantially cylindrical hub 28 thatis adapted to telescopically receive part of a shaft 29 therein and becoupled thereto so as to rotate in unison therewith in any suitablemanner, such as by a keyway member 30 in a manner well known in the art,whereby the pulley construction 20 is adapted to drive the shaft 29 orbe driven by the shaft 29 as the case may be.

The flange 21 of the pulley construction 20 is fixed to the hub 28 so asto rotate in unison therewith and be nonaxially movable relativethereto, the flange 21 being illustrated in the drawings as beingintegral and one-piece with the hub 28 but could be formed separatetherefrom and be subsequently secured thereto in any suitable manner.

The other flange 22 of the pulley construction 20 has a substantiallycylindrical hub portion 31 telescoped over the hub 28 of the pulleyconstruction 20 and is splined thereto with antifriction spline means 32so as to cause the flange 22 to rotate in unison with the hub 28 whilebeing axially movable relative thereto in a manner well known in theart.

The pulley construction 20 has means that is generally indicated by thereference numeral 33 for causing axial movement of the flange 22relative to the flange 21 in a manner hereinafter set forth and hasfluid dampening means that is generally indicated by the referencenumeral 34 for dampening that axial movement of the flange 22 relativeto the flange 21 with a restrictive force as will be apparenthereinafter.

The means 33 for axially moving the flange 22 relative to the flange 21of the pulley construction 20 of this invention is a speed responsivemeans that comprises raceway means 35A and 35B respectively havingsurface means 36 and movable element means 37 disposed against thesurface means 36 of the raceway means 35A and 35B for movement in theraceway means 35A and 35B.

The raceway means 35A and 35B have the surface means 36 thereof formedfrom polymeric material while the element means 37 comprises a pluralityof steel balls.

In this manner, the polymeric material forming the surface means 36 ofthe raceway means 35A and 35B will absorb some of the vibrations andshock loads of the pulley construction 20 particularly when the pulleyconstruction 20 is being utilized for continuously variable transmissionpurposes and the like and the continuously variable transmission isbeing shifted as is well known in the art.

If desired, the polymeric material for the raceway means 35 could bereinforced, such as with glass fibers or the like, so as to combine thefeatures of good strength with a low friction bearing surface.

The polymeric material of the raceway means 35A and 35B dampen outvibrations and shock load motion by avoiding metal to metal contact withthe steel balls 37.

The movable flange 22 of the pulley construction 20 has its rear surface38 interrupted by a recess 39 that defines a substantially bowl-shapedinterior surface 40 thereof that is substantially smooth and arcuatewhile being concentrically disposed about the hub portion 31 thereof.

The raceway means 35A is adapted to be molded in the bowl shapeillustrated in the drawings and has an outside substantially smoothsurface 41 as illustrated in FIG. 7 that is adapted to be secured byadhesive means or other fastening means against the surface 40 of theflange 22 so as to be carried thereby whereby the flange 22 provides abackup to the polymeric material of the raceway means 35A so as toincrease the strength of the polymeric material of the raceway means 35Aand decrease deflections thereof caused by the action of the balls 37moving thereagainst.

The inside surface 42 of the molded polymeric raceway member 35A has aplurality of radially disposed raceways or tracks 43 in which the balls37 are adapted to move or roll in a manner well known for speedresponsive pulley constructions, such as the pulley construction in theaforementioned U.S. Patent to Hoff, U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,214 whereby thispatent is being incorporated into this disclosure by this referencethereto.

The other raceway means 35B of the pulley construction 20 is formed insubstantially flat disc form so as to have a substantially flat rearsurface 44 and a substantially flat and radially grooved front surface45 so as to be provided with a plurality of tracks 46 in which the steelballs 37 are adapted to move in a manner hereinafter set forth.

A substantially flat metallic disc-like member 47 has a front flatsurface 47' against which the rear surface 44 of the raceway member 35Bis secured by adhesive means, fastening means or the like so as to besupported thereby to thereby minimize deflection of the polymericraceway member 35B and provide additional strength therefore, theplate-like member 47 being secured in a fixed position on the hub 28 soas to rotate therewith while being non-axially movable relative thereto.

Thus, the raceway means 35B, while rotating in unison with the hub 28,is non-axially movable relative thereto whereas the raceway means 35Acarried by the flange 22 is axially movable on the hub means 28 whilebeing rotatable in unison therewith.

In this manner, the speed of rotation of the pulley construction 20,either by being driven by the V-belt construction 27 or by the shaft 29,controls the spacing between the surfaces 23 and 24 of the flanges 21and 22 through the speed responsive means 33 so that when a low speed ofrotation is being provided for the pulley construction 20, the steelballs 37 are disposed in their most radially in position as illustratedin FIG. 5 and the flange 22 is in its most axially spaced position fromthe flange 21 whereby the V-belt construction 27 is operating with itsnarrowest diameter about the pulley construction 20.

However, as the speed of rotation of the pulley construction 20increases, the steel balls 37 are thrown outwardly by a greatercentrifugal force and thereby move outward in the tracks 43 and 46 ofthe raceway means 35A and 35B in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 tocause the flange 22 to be axially moved toward the flange 21 and therebycause the V-belt construction 27 to ride outwardly on the surfaces 23and 24 until the same provides the maximum diameter for the V-beltconstruction 27 in the pulley construction as illustrated in FIG. 2,such movement of the flange 22 toward the flange 21 being in oppositionto the force of a spring 48 in a manner hereinafter set forth.

Conversely, as the speed of rotation of the pulley construction 20decreases so that the balls 37 are not being thrown radially outwardlywith as great a centrifugal force as before, the force of the spring 48moves the flange 22 away from the flange 21 and causes the balls 37 tomove radially inwardly in the tracks 43 and 46 to permit the flange 22to so move away from the flange 21 whereby it can be seen that thespacing of the flange 22 relative to the flange 21 is in relation to thespeed of rotation of the pulley construction 20.

As previously stated, the pulley construction 20 of this invention hasfluid dampening means 34 for dampening the axial movement of the flange22 relative to the flange 21 as the flange 22 is being moved eithertoward or away from the flange 21 by the speed responsive means 33 so asto further dampen vibrations and shock load motion of the pulleyconstruction 20.

The feature of utilizing the fluid dampening means 34 does not form anypart of this invention as such feature is disclosed and claimed in thecopending patent application, Ser. No. 449,045, filed Dec. 13, 1982.Thus, it is to be understood that it's not necessary for the pulleyconstruction 20 to have fluid dampening means of any type in order forthe speed responsive means 33 of this invention to function in themanner previously described. Nevertheless, it is believed that byutilizing the fluid dampening means 34, the pulley construction 20 ofthis invention will have its vibrations and shock loads be more absorbedthan when just the polymeric raceway means 35A and 35B of this inventionare being utilized.

Accordingly, the details of the fluid dampening means 34 will now bedescribed.

The fluid dampening means 34 comprises a flexible bladder that is formedof polymeric material, such as rubber, and is substantially like aflexible diaphragm, the bladder 50 having an inner periphery 51 and anouter periphery 52. The inner periphery 51 of the bladder 50 is heldagainst a C-ring 53 carried by the hub 28 by a disc-like member 54 thathas a plurality of extentions 55 disposed in a circular array andabutting the plate 47. The disc 54 carries an annular seal member 56with seals against the hub 28 for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The fluid dampening means 34 includes a cup-shaped housing member 57having its open end 58 secured to the axially movable flange 22 in anysuitable manner, such as by the fastening members 59 as illustrated. Thecup-shaped member 57 has its closed end 60 provided with an innerperipheral or hub portion 61 telescopically disposed on the hub 28 andcarrying an annular seal means 62 as well as a sliding seal means 63 sothat while the cup-shaped housing member 57 will rotate in unison withthe hub 28, the cup-shaped housing member is axially movable relativethereto as the housing member 57 is carried by the axially movableflange 22. In this manner, the housing member 57 is sealed to the hub 28by the seal means 62 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The outer peripheral portion 52 of the flexible bladder 50 is heldagainst the inside surface 64 of the closed end wall 60 of the housingmember 57 by a retainer ring 65 urged against the outer periphery 52 ofthe flexible bladder 50 by the outer end 66 of the bladder spring 48which has its inner end 67 provided with a plurality of fingers 68 thatextend through the spaces 69 between the extensions 55 of the platemember 54 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

In this manner, the force of the bladder spring 48 maintains the outerperipheral portion 52 of the diaphragm or bladder 50 in sealingengagement against the end wall surface 64 of the housing member 57 sothat the bladder 50 cooperates with the surface 64 of the housing member57 to define a fluid chamber 70 therebetween, the inner portion of thechamber 70 being closed by the hub 28 between the seal members 56 and 62carried respectively by the plate 54 and housing means 57 asillustrated.

In this manner, the volume of the chamber 70 varies as the axialposition of the flange 22 relative to the fixed flange 21 varies asillustrated respectively in FIGS. 2 and 5 for a purpose hereinafter setforth.

The chamber 70 of the fluid dampening means 34 is interconnected to theexterior of the pulley construction 20 by a plurality of orifices 71formed through the end wall 60 of the housing means 57 and beingdisposed in the circular array as illustrated in FIG. 4, the orifices 71being restrictive in size so that as the volume of the chamber 70changes, either air is being forced from the chamber 70 out through theorifices 71 as the volume decreases or is being drawn from the exteriorof the pulley construction 20 through the orifices 71 as the volumeincreases, such changes are restricted by the amount of air flow throughthe orifices 71. Such increase or decrease in the volume of the chamber70 depends upon the direction of the axial movement of the flange 22relative to the fixed flange 21 as will be apparent hereinafter.

Therefore, it can be seen that while the fluid dampening means 34utilizes air as the fluid thereof, it is to be understood that the fluiddampening means 34 can utilize another fluid, such as a liquid, as longas the system is well sealed and fluid flow is contained in a closedsystem.

In any event, it can be seen that it is a relatively simple method ofthis invention to make the pulley construction 20 of this inventionwhich is adapted to operate in a manner now to be described.

When the pulley construction 20 of this invention has the V-beltconstruction 27 disposed in engagement with the surfaces 23 and 24 ofthe flanges 21 and 22 by being disposed therebetween as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the pulley construction 20 is adapted to be driven orrotated by the V-belt construction 27 or be driven or rotated by theshaft 29 so as to drive the V-belt construction 27 in a manner wellknown in the art.

In any event, as the pulley construction 20 is rotating, the speed ofrotation thereof causes the balls 37 to be thrown radially outwardly bya centrifugal force and when the force of the balls 37 tending to moveoutwardly in the tracks 43 and 46 of the polymeric raceway means 35A and35B is sufficient to overcome the force of the bladder spring 48 tendingto maintain the housing 57 and, thus, the flange 22 in its furthestaxial position from the flange 21 as illustrated in FIG. 5, the balls 37force against the arcuate surface of the tracks 43 of the raceway means35A to axially move the flange 22 toward the flange 21 and force thebelt 27 outwardly to a larger diameter position thereof in the pulleyconstruction 20 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. Such axial movementof the flange 22 toward the flange 21 continues as the speed of rotationof the pulley 20 increases until the balls 37 reach the positionillustrated in FIG. 2 at which time the housing means 27 is disposed inabutting relation against the C-member 53 of the hub 28 so that furthermovement of the housing means 57 and, thus, of the flange 22 toward theflange 21 is prevented whereby the V-belt construction 27 is disposed inthe greatest diameter position thereof in the pulley construction 20 asillustrated in FIG. 2. Conversely, any slowing in the speed of rotationof the pulley construction 20 permits the spring 48 to overcome some ofthe centrifugal force of the balls 37 to axially move the flange 22 awayfrom the flange 21 and thereby decrease the operating diameter of theV-belt construction 27 in the pulley construction 20.

As previously stated, any axial movement of the flange 22 relative tothe flange 21 causes a change in the volume of the chamber 70 as theouter peripheral portion 52 of the bladder 50 is interconnected to thehousing 57 and, thus, is operatively interconnected to the axiallymovable flange 22.

Thus, when the speed responsive means 33 cause the flange 22 to axiallymove away from the flange 21 so as to cause an increase in the volume ofthe chamber 70, air from the exterior of the housing 57 must be drawninto the chamber 70 through the orifices 71 and since the orifices 71are restricting, the movement of the flange 22 axially away from theflange 21 is dampened by the restricting force of the dampening means34.

When the flange 22 is axially moved toward the flange 21 by the speedresponsive means 33, a decrease in the volume of the chamber 70 takesplace and thereby causes the air therein to be forced out through theorifices 71 and since the orifices 71 are restricting, such movement ofthe flange 22 toward the flange 21 is dampened by the restricting forceof the dampening means 34.

Of course, the amount of restricting force provided by the fluiddampening means 34 could be made adjustable by either adding to orsubtracting from the number of operating orifices 71 as desired.

In fact, the amount of restriction provided by each orifice 71 could beadjustably controlled, such as by utilizing a conventional needle valvemeans that is generally indicated by the reference numeral 72 in FIG. 8whereby the amount of dampening or restricting force of the pulleyconstruction 20 of this invention can be adjustable.

Therefore, it can be seen that not only does the fluid dampening means34 cushion the axial movement of the flange 22 relative to the flange 21so as to dampen vibrations and shock load motion of the pulleyconstruction 20, but also the polymeric raceway means 35A and 35Bcushion the vibrations and shock load motion caused by the element means37 moving relative to the pulley 20 and thereby causing such axialmovement of the movable flange 22 relative to fixed flange 21.

While the raceway means 35A and 35B have been illustrated and describedas operating with eight tracks 43 and 46, it is to be understood thatthe raceway means 35A and 35B could be made with any desired number oftracks 43 and 46 and still will perform their shock and vibrationabsorbing function as well as their speed responsive function aspreviously set forth.

Thus, since it is well known that in a variable speed transmission whichis driven by a V-belt construction or the like, it is desirable toachieve a smooth consistent movement while shifting to decrease wear onthe belt construction and the sheaves or pulley constructions,particularly where this is a problem in a high ratio or a high loaddrive, such as a continuously variable transmission for a vehicle, etc.,it can be seen that the improved pulley construction 20 of thisinvention is particularly useful for this purpose.

Therefore, it can be seen that this invention not only provides animproved pulley construction and method of making the same, but alsothis invention provides an improved combination of a V-belt constructionand a pulley construction.

While the forms and methods of this invention now preferred have beenillustrated and described as required by the Patent Statute, it is to beunderstood that other forms and method steps can be utilized and stillfall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a pulley construction having a pair of opposed flanges respectively provided with surface means for engagement with a V-belt construction when said V-belt construction is disposed therebetween, said pulley construction having speed responsive means for moving one of said flanges axially relative to the other of said flanges, said speed responsive means comprising raceway means having surface means and movable element means disposed against said surface means of said raceway means for movement in said raceway means, the improvement wherein said surface means of said raceway means comprises polymeric material that will be deflected by said movable element means and thereby will tend to dampen out vibrations and shock load motion as said movable element means move relative to said surface means.
 2. A pulley construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said polymeric material has reinforcement means therein.
 3. A pulley construction as set forth in claim 2 wherein said reinforcement means comprises glass fibers.
 4. A pulley construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said raceway means comprises at least one polymeric member having opposed sides and a plurality of radially disposed tracks in one of said opposed sides thereof, the other of said opposed sides being substantially smooth throughout substantially the entire area thereof.
 5. A pulley construction as set forth in claim 4 wherein said raceway means includes a metallic support plate engaging said other side of said polymeric member throughout substantially the entire area of said other side.
 6. A pulley construction as set forth in claim 5 wherein said polymeric member is substantially bowl-shaped with said one side thereof defining the interior of said bowl-shape.
 7. A pulley construction as set forth in claim 5 wherein said polymeric member is substantially flat on said other side thereof.
 8. A pulley construction as set forth in claim 4 wherein said movable element means comprise a plurality of steel balls respectively disposed in said tracks.
 9. A pulley construction as set forth in claim 8 wherein said raceway means comprises another polymeric member having opposed sides and a plurality of radially disposed tracks in one of said opposed sides thereof, said one side of each polymeric member facing said one side of the other polymeric member, said balls being respectively disposed between said members and in said tracks thereof.
 10. In a method of making a pulley construction comprising the steps of forming said pulley construction with a pair of opposed flanges respectively provided with surface means for engagement with a V-belt construction when said V-belt construction is disposed therebetween, forming said pulley construction to have speed responsive means for moving one of said flanges axially relative to the other of said flanges, and forming said speed responsive means to comprise raceway means having surface means and movable element means disposed against said surface means of said raceway means for movement in said raceway means, the improvement comprising the step of forming said surface means of said raceway means from polymeric material that will be deflected by said movable element means and thereby will tend to dampen out vibrations and shock load motion as said movable element means move relative to said surface means.
 11. A method of making a pulley construction as set forth in claim 10 and including the step of forming said polymeric material to have reinforcement means therein.
 12. A method of making a pulley construction as set forth in claim 11 and including the step of forming said reinforcement means to comprise glass fibers.
 13. A method of making a pulley construction as set forth in claim 10 and including the step of forming said raceway means to comprise at least one polymeric member having opposed sides and a plurality of radially disposed tracks in one of said opposed sides thereof with the other of said opposed sides being substantially smooth throughout substantially the entire area thereof.
 14. A method of making a pulley construction as set forth in claim 13 and including the step of forming said raceway means to include a metallic support plate engaging said other side of said polymeric member throughout substantially the entire area of said other side.
 15. A method of making a pulley construction as set forth in claim 14 and including the step of forming said polymeric member to be substantially bowl-shaped with said one side thereof defining the interior of said bowl-shape.
 16. A method of making a pulley construction as set forth in claim 14 and including the step of forming said polymeric member to be substantially flat on said other side thereof.
 17. A method of making a pulley construction as set forth in claim 13 and including the step of forming said movable element means to comprise a plurality of steel balls respectively disposed in said tracks.
 18. A method of making a pulley construction as set forth in claim 17 and including the steps of forming said raceway means to comprise another polymeric member having opposed sides and a plurality of radially disposed tracks in one of said opposed sides thereof, disposing said one side of each polymeric member to face said one side of the other polymeric member, and disposing said balls to be respectively between said members and is said tracks thereof.
 19. In the combination of a V-belt construction and a pulley construction having a pair of opposed flanges respectively provided with surface means engaging against said V-belt construction that is disposed therebetween, said pulley construction having speed responsive means for moving one of said flanges axially relative to the other of said flanges, said speed responsive means comprising raceway means having surface means and movable element means disposed against said surface means of said raceway means for movement in said raceway means, the improvement wherein said surface means of said raceway means comprises polymeric material that will be deflected by said movable element means and thereby will tend to dampen out vibrations and shock load motion as said movable element means move relative to said surface means.
 20. A combination as set forth in claim 19 wherein said raceway means comprises at least one polymeric member having opposed sides and a plurality of radially disposed tracks in one of said opposed sides thereof, the other of said opposed sides being substantially smooth throughout substantially the entire area thereof. 